Apparatus for inserting filter elements into a tank

ABSTRACT

An improved apparatus for inserting filter elements into a tank designed for use with a particular type of filter element. The apparatus has an elongated rod portion having first and second ends and element support means outwardly disposed from the first end. Element spring compressing means are positioned above the support means and mounted for movement in a direction generally parallel to the rod portion. Control means are provided adjacent to the second end of the rod portion for controlling the movement of the spring compressing means.

nited States Patent Wapner et al.

[4 1 May 23, 1972 [54] APPARATUS FOR INSERTING FILTER ELEMENTS INTO ATANK [72] Inventors: Stanley H. Wapner, New York, N.Y.; Al-

lonse J. Soriente, Gillette, NJ.

[73] Assignee: Ecodyne Corporation, Chicago, Ill. [22] Filed: Nov. 12,1970 [21] Appl. No.: 88,602

[52] U.S.Cl. [51] Int. Cl. [58] Field of Search .....B23p 19/00, 323p19/04 ..29/20o R, 227, 280, 215

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/1909 Schneider ..30/1245/1932 McNaughtetal. ..29/215 3,242,560 3/1966 Mitchell ..29/203H3,495,320 2/1970 Wapneretal. ..29/427 Primary Examiner-Thomas H. EagerAttorney-Charles M. Kaplan 1 ABSIRACT An improved apparatus forinserting filter elements into a tank designed for use with a particulartype of filter element. The apparatus has an elongated rod portionhaving first and second ends and element support means outwardlydisposed from the first end. Element spring compressing means arepositioned above the support means and mounted for move ment in adirection generally parallel to the rod portion. Con trol means areprovided adjacent to the second end of the rod portion for controllingthe movement of the spring compressing means.

8 Claims, 10 Drawing figures Patented May 23, 1972 3,664,003

15 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented May 23, 1972 3,664,003

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented M y 23, 1972 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jai.

APPARATUS FOR INSERTING FILTER ELEMENTS INTO A TANK The presentinvention relates to an improved apparatus for inserting a filterelement into a tank.

Filter tanks having replaceable filter cartridges are well known in theart. An exemplary filter tank with filter cartridges is described inSoriente et al., US. Pat. No. 3,279,608, issued Oct. 18, 1966, andassigned to the assignee of the present application. When filtercartridges have heretofore been installed it was usually necessary forpersonnel to reach into or enter the filter tank in order to handlethem. Ordinarily this is not hazardous, but when the apparatus is usedto filter substances containing toxic and/or radioactive substances, itis dangerous for personnel to enter the tank or to be in close proximityto the interior of the tank for extended periods of time. In suchinstances, the operating personnel must have means for installation offilter cartridges from a point outside the tank. Even in instances whentoxic or radioactive materials are not involved, it would be a greatconvenience to have a tool that enabled filter cartridges to beinstalled without any requirement for entering the tank.

A typical tool that has heretofore been developed in an effort to solvethis problem is described in Wapner et al., US. Pat. No. 3,495,320,issued Feb. 17, 1970, and assigned to the assignee of this application.However such apparatus had numerous disadvantages, and it was awkward tohandle filter cartridges with them. Furthermore, this apparatus was notwell adapted to handle cartridges of the current design, as describedherein.

Generally, the present invention provides an improved apparatus forinserting filter elements into a tank. Generally, the apparatuscomprises an elongated rod portion having first and second ends. Supportmeans are outwardly disposed from the rod portion adjacent to the firstend, and element spring compressing means are positioned above thesupport means and mounted for movement in a direction generally parallelto the rod portion. Control means are provided adjacent to the secondend of the rod portion for controlling the movement of the springcompressing means.

The invention, its construction and method of operation, together withthe objects of advantages thereof, will be best understood by referenceto the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with thedrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of an apparatus constructed inaccordance with the present invention;

F IG. 2 is a partial plan view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view, partially in section, showing a portion of theapparatus shown in FIG. 1 in engagement with a filter cartridge;

FIG. 4 is a partial plan view taken along line 44 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an elevation view, cut away to show the use of the apparatusof the present invention to insert a filter element into a filter tank;

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the insertion of afilter element into element seat means within a filter tank;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a filter element in engagementwith the seat means;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a cartridge receiving adapter, which forms apart of the element seat means;

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view showing filter elements mounted within afilter tank; and

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

Referring to FIG. 1, a filter element insertion apparatus constructedaccording to the present invention is generally indicated by referencenumeral 10. The insertion apparatus 10 has an elongated rod portion 12having a lower or first end 14 and a second end 16. A handle 17 isaffixed to the second end 16.

' A pair of parallel, generally L-shaped element support bars 18 extendoutwardly from the first end 14 of the elongated rod portion 12. Theelement support bars 18 each have a downwardly extending portion 20. Thedownwardly extending portions 20 have an outwardly extending supportbracket 22 mounted thereon. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the supportbracket 22 has a pair of outwardly extending fingers 24, each of whichhas a wedge-shaped side portions 26. The support bracket 22 carries apair of mounting bars 28 which mount the support bracket 22 to thedownwardly extending portions 20 of the filter element support bars 18.

A spring compressing bar 30 is mounted between the element support bars18 by means of a shaft 32, as best shown in FIG. 2. This shaft 32permits rotation of the spring compression bar 30 in a plane parallel tothe elongated rod 12. The spring compression bar 30 has a fork-shapedend portion 34 which is above the support bracket 22.

The end portion 34 carries a socket 36 mounted on a shaft 38 forrotation in the same plane as the spring compression bar 30.As-hereinafter described, the socket 36 is adapted to fit over the topof the central guide rod of a filter element. As shown in the drawings,the socket 36 is positioned over the support bracket 22. The socket 36has a lower guide portion 39, which has a tapered inner surface as shownin FIG. 3. This tapered inner surface aids in guiding the end of anelement guide rod into the socket 36 as hereinafter described.

The spring compressing bar 30 has control means, which in this instanceinclude a control rod 40 connected to the end of the spring compressionbar 30 adjacent to the elongated rod portion 12. The control rod 40 hasa turn buckle 42 for adjusting the length thereof. The upper end of thecontrol rod 40 is connected to a lever 44, which is capable of movingthe control rod 40 parallel to the elongated rod portion 12. In thisinstance, the same end portion of the lever 44 that is connected to thecontrol rod 40 is also connected to a slidable shaft 46 which slides ina sleeve member 48 parallel to the elongated rod portion 12. A centralportion of the lever 44 is journalled to a movable arm 50, the oppositeend of which is journalled to the sleeve member 48. By this design, thelever 44 will be locked in position when pushed to its downwardmostlimit of travel, so that an operator need not retain pressure on thelever 44 to maintain the spring compressing bar 30 in the compressingposition while inserting an element into a tank as hereinafterdescribed.

As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus of the present invention also includeselement release means, in this instance, an element release bar 52 whichis mounted adjacent to the support bracket 22 for rotation so that anend portion of the release bar 52 can contact an element to push it awayfrom the support bracket 22. This rotation is accomplished by means of arotation lever 54 connected to the element release bar 52. The end ofthe rotation lever 54 opposite the element release bar 52 is connectedto a cable 56. The opposite end of the cable 56 is connected to arelease handle 58 on the elongated rod portion 12. As can be seen fromFIG. 1, when the release handle 58 is pulled upwardly the elementrelease bar 52 will be caused to rotate, and will push a filter elementout of engagement with the support bracket 22. When the release handle58 is released, the element release bar will return to its originalposition under the influence of a spring 60.

In order to fully understand the operation of the apparatus of thepresent invention, it is important to have some understanding of thefilter cartridges of the type for which its use is primarilycontemplated. Such a filter cartridge is shown installed in its seatmeans within a filter tank in FIG. 7. The filter cartridge, which isindicated generally by reference numeral 70, has an annular filterportion 72 with a central guide rod 74 mounted therein for slidingmovement parallel to the axis of the filter portion 72. The filterportion 72 may be made of stainless steel wrapped with a filteringmaterial, such as nylon or the like, and has an upper seat plate 76 witha central opening therein for the guide rod 74. The lower end of thefilter portion 72 has a gasket 78, also having a central opening for theguide rod 74.

At the upper end of the filter cartridge 70, an annular spring seat 80having a central opening therein for the guide rod 74 is positionedabove the seat plate 76. The seat plate 76 and spring seat 80 areseparated by an elastomeric O-ring 82 so that an annular gap 84 isformed between the seat plate 76 and spring seat 80. A spring 86 ispositioned around the guide rod 74, and is seated in the spring seat 80.The top of the spring 86 is seated in an annular top cap 87. The top cap87 has a nut 88 welded thereto at the central opening, so that the topcap 88 may simply be screwed onto the upper, threaded end of the guiderod 74. In the embodiment shown, a lock nut 89 and an extension nut 90,having transverse aperture 91, are screwed onto the top of the guide rod74. The lock nut 89 is employed to lock the extension nut 90 inposition.

As best shown in FIG. 6, the bottom of the guide rod 74 has a transversepin 92, which aids in seating the element 70 in the element seat meansas hereinafter described. The pin 92 also prevents the guide rod 74 fromsliding upwardly through the gasket 78 at the bottom of the element 70.The extension nut 90 is preferably locked in position with thetransverse aperture 91 parallel to the pin 92.

The apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is illustrated in an intermediateposition. That is, in its released position, the spring compression barwill be tilted so that the end portion 34 is farther away from thesupport bracket 22 than is shown in FIG. 1. Similarly, when the springcompression bar 30 is in its compression position, the end portion 34will be displaced downwardly from the position shown in FIG. 1.

As can be seen from the foregoing description and from the drawings, theend portion 34 of the spring compressing bar 30 moves in an arcuatefashion between its released and compression positions. This are hasbeen described herein as generally parallel to the elongated rod portion12. Of course, modifications of the apparatus will occur to thoseskilled in the art in which the spring compressing means move in alinear fashion parallel to the rod portion 10.

To operate the apparatus of the present invention, the lever 44 is firstmoved upwardly as far as possible. This operation moves the control rod40 downwardly so that the end portion 34 of the spring compression bar30 is in its fully raised or released position. The support bracket 22is then wedged into the gap 84 between the seat plate 76 and the springseat 80. The wedge-shaped side portions 26 wedge the spring seat 80 andseat plate 76 apart, slightly compressing the spring 86. The guide rod74 passes between the fingers 24. The apparatus 10 is properlypositioned on the filter cartridge 70 when the socket 36 is above theend of the guide rod 74, which in this instance is capped with anextension nut 90. At this time, the lever 44 is moved downwardly raisingthe control rod 40, thereby lowering the end portion 34 of the springcompressing bar 30 so that the socket 36 engages the extension nut 90 onthe end of the guide rod 74. As the lever 44 is moved further, thespring 86 is compressed, and the spring seat plate 80 is moved towardthe top cap 87, enlarging the gap 84. This fully compressed position isshown in FIG. 3. As can be seen from FIG. 3, the annular filter portion72 of the cartridge 70 is prevented from sliding ofi the guide rod 74 bythe transverse pin 92 at the bottom of the guide rod 74. In the positionshown in FIG. 3, the element is ready to be placed into a filter tank.

Referring to FIG. 5, a typical tank for use in the present invention isgenerally indicated by reference numeral 100. This tank 100 is adaptedto receive an influent stream, filter the stream, and discharge thefiltrate of effluent stream. To these ends, the filter tank 100 has aninlet or influent line 102 and an outlet or filtrate line 104. Thefilter tank 100 is a generally cylindrical vessel made of steel or thelike having an outwardly convex top 106 and an outwardly convex bottom108. The tank 100 is divided into an influent zone 110 and a filtratezone 112 by a downwardly convex tube sheet plate 114 suitably secured tothe interior of the tank 100 by welding or the like. The influent line102 extends through the bottom 108 of the tank 100 and communicates withthe influent zone 110 so that all of the influent stream is passeddirectly to the influent zone 110. The influent pipe 102 is attached tothe tube sheet plate 114 by welding or the like. In this manner, directcommunication between the influent zone 110 and the filtrate zone 112 isprecluded. The stream from the influent line 102 is dispersed as itenters the influent zone by a distributor plate 116.

Mounted within the influent zone 110 are a plurality of filtercartridges 70 as shown in FIG. 9. The influent stream must pass throughthese cartridges before entering the filtrate zone 112 and beingdischarged from the tank 100 through the effluent line 104. A filtercartridge 70 is placed into and removed from the filter tank 100 througha manhole opening 118 in the filter tank 100. The manhole opening 118has a cover means (not shown) which may be removed to provide access tothe interior of the filter tank 100.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 9, the tube sheet plate 114 has attachedthereto a cartridge seat means 120 for each filter cartridge 70 in thefilter tank 100. Each cartridge seat means 120 comprises a small pipemade of steel or the like which extends through a hole in the tube sheetplate 114 and is attached to the tube sheet plate 114 by welding orother suitable means. The cartridge seat means 120 is substantiallyparallel to the longitudinal axis of the filter tank 100, and connectsthe influent zone 1 10 with the filtrate zone 112.

Each cartridge seat means 120 includes a slotted cartridge receivingadapter 122 having a positioning shield 124 mounted thereon. As shown inFIG. 8, the slotted adapter 122 has a pair of opposed slots 126 whichreceive the pin 92 on the bottom of the guide rod 74. The slottedadapter 122 also has a pointer 127 projecting outwardly from each sidethereof. The pointers 127 are aligned with the slots 126, and aid inmounting a cartridge 70 therein, as hereinafter described. As shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, the slotted adapter 122 has upwardly arcuate portions128. As shown in FIG. 6, when the cartridge 70 is positioned in the seatmeans 120, it is lowered so that the pin 92 at the bottom of the guiderod 74 passes through the slot 126. The guide rod 74 is then turned 90to the position shown in FIG. 7. The spring 86 is then released, ashereinafter described, so that the pin 92 contacts the underside of thearcuate portions 128 to retain the cartridge 70 in position.

In operation, the filter element insertion apparatus 10 of the presentinvention is first placed into engagement with a filter cartridge 70 inthe manner previously described. That is, referring to FIGS. 1 and 7,the support bracket 22 is wedged between the element spring seat 80 andseat plate 76. The lever 44 is then moved downwardly so that the socket36 engages the extension nut 90, and the spring 86 is compressed, asshown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows a typical nuclear installation wherein the filter tank 100is surrounded by a concrete radiation shield 130 having an opening 132above the tank 100. An operator stands on the shield 130 and lowers thefilter element 70 into the tank 100 through the manhole opening 118 asshown in FIG. 5. Before lowering the filter element 70 into thepositioning shield 122, the cartridge is rotated so that the pin 92 isaligned with the pointers 127, and will be in position to drop throughthe slots 126. The filter element 70 is then lowered into position untilits lower end is fitted within a positioning shield 122, as shown inFIG. 6. The passage of the pin 92 through the slots 126 is easilydetected because the guide rod 74 is felt to move downwardly. Theinsertion apparatus 10 is then rotated 90 to position the pin 92 underthe arcuate portions 128 of the receiving adapter 124, as shown in FIG.7. The lever 44 is then moved upwardly, so that the socket 36 is raisedout of contact with the extension nut 90, releasing the spring 86. Thespring now retains the pin 92 in contact with the arcuate lower surfaces128. In order to be sure that the cartridge 70 is properly seated, it isadvantageous to pull upwardly on the insertion apparatus 10 at thispoint. If there is resistance to this pulling, the cartridge is properlyseated.

After seating the cartridge, the operator pulls the release handle 58,rotating the element release bar 52 so that the cartridge 70 is movedaway from the support bracket 22. Upon release of the handle 58, theelement release bar 52 returns to its original position, under theinfluence of the spring 60.

The foregoing operation is repeated until a number of elements in a rowhave been installed. As shown in FIG. 10, at this point an elementspacing bar 134, having a plurality of spaced apertures, is positionedover the extension nuts 90 of a row of elements, so that they areproperly positioned with respect to one another. After a group of filterelements 70 has been so installed, an apertured cover plate 136 isplaced over the ends of the elements 70 in the group above the elementspacing bars 134. This procedure is repeated until all of the elements70 have been installed in the tank 100.

Referring to FIG. 7, after the apertured cover plates 136 have beeninstalled, a removable pin 138 is located in the nut 90 through thetransverse aperture 91. These removable pins 138 prevent the aperturedcover plates from being lifted OK the elements 70. Furthermore, theseapertured cover plates, which have lifting eyes 140, permit the remoteremoval of groups of elements from a position outside the tank. Suchremote removal is accomplished by simply rotating each of the extensionnuts 90 ninety degrees with a wrench, thus unseating the elements fromthe seat means 120. Groups of elements are then lifted out of the tankby means of the lifting eyes 140.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the an, the apparatus of thepresent invention may be used in conjunction with filter elements and/orseating means having a design that differs from the design shown in thedrawings. Exemplary filter elements and seating means having a differentdesign are shown and described in US. Pat. Nos. 3,279,608 and 3,405,807,which are assigned to the assignee of this application. Some of thefilter elements and seating means shown in these patents require tiltingof the elements, rather than rotation, to accomplish the seating andunseating operations.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the invention ashereinbefore set forth will occur to those skilled in the art, and it isintended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications andvariations as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

lclaim:

1. Improved apparatus for inserting filter elements into a tankcomprising: an elongated rod portion having first and second ends;support means outwardly disposed from said rod portion adjacent saidfirst end; element spring compressing means positioned above saidsupport means mounted for movement generally parallel to said rodportion; and control means adjacent to said second end for controllingthe movement of said spring compressing means.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising elementrelease means adjacent to said support means for pushing said filterelements away from said support means.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising a handle onsaid second end of said rod portion.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said element springcompressing means include a socket adapted to fit over the top of acentral guide rod of said filter element.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said control meansinclude locking means for retaining said spring compressing means in aspring compressing position.

6. Improved apparatus for inserting filter elements into a tankcomprising: an elongated rod having first and second ends; a support barextending outwardly from said first end; an outwardly extending supportbracket mounted on the end of said support bar; a spring compressing barmounted on said support bar for rotation about a central portion of saidspring compressing bar in a plane parallel to said elongated rod, saidspring compressing bar having an end portion above said support bracket;a socket in said end portion adapted to fit over the top of the centralguide rod of said filter element, said socket being mounted for rotationin the same plane as said spring compressing bar; and control means forrotating said spring compressing bar so that said end portion describesan are above said support bracket generally parallel to said elongatedrod.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 6 further comprising an elementrelease bar mounted adjacent to said support bracket for rotation sothat an end of said release bar contacts said filter element to pushsaid element away from said support bracket.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said support bracket hasa generally wedge-shaped portion.

1. Improved apparatus for inserting filter elements into a tankcomprising: an elongated rod portion having first and second ends;support means outwardly disposed from said rod portion adjacent saidfirst end; element spring compressing means positioned above saidsupport means mounted for movement generally parallel to said rodportion; and control means adjacent to said second end for controllingthe movement of said spring compressing means.
 2. The apparatus asdefined in claim 1 further comprising element release means adjacent tosaid support means for pushing said filter elements away from saidsupport means.
 3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprisinga handle on said second end of said rod portion.
 4. The apparatus asdefined in claim 1 wherein said element spring compressing means includea socket adapted to fit over the top of a central guide rod of saidfilter element.
 5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein saidcontrol means include locking means for retaining said springcompressing means in a spring compressing position.
 6. Improvedapparatus for inserting filter elements into a tank comprising: anelongated rod having first and second ends; a support bar extendingoutwardly from said first end; an outwardly extending support bracketmounted on the end of said support bar; a spring compressing bar mountedon said support bar for rotation about a central portion of said springcompressing bar in a plane parallel to said elongated rod, said springcompressing bar having an end portion above said support bracket; asocket in said end portion adapted to fit over the top of the centralguide rod of said filter element, said socket being mounted for rotationin the same plane as said spring compressing bar; and control means forrotating said spring compressing bar so that said end portion describesan arc above said support bracket generally parallel to said elongatedrod.
 7. The apparatus as defined in claim 6 further comprising anelement release bar mounted adjacent to said support bracket forrotation so that an end of said release bar contacts said filter elementto push said element away from said support bracket.
 8. The apparatus asdefined in claim 7 wherein said support bracket has a generallywedge-shaped portion.